TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Equation of Tangent Line

Equivalent Dfinition Of Derivatives
Derivative of a Constant
Derivatives Of Sum/Difference
Derivatives of Power Rule
Derivatives of Constant Multiple Rule
Derivatives of Product Rule
Derivatives of Quotient Rule
Derivatives of Trigonometry
Derivatives of Exponential Function
In this section, you will:
• Find the derivative of a function.
• Find the slope of the tangent line to a function.
•
• Derivative
𝑓′ 𝑥
𝑓 𝑥+ℎ −𝑓 𝑥
= lim
ℎ→0 ℎ

• Gives a function for

slope, or rate of change,
of a function
EQUATION OF
TANGENT LINE
• Recall that a tangent is a line
that touches a curve at a
point. That the point where
the curve and the line meet
is called a point of tangency.
Note that the standard form
to find the equation of a
tangent line is defined by:
y – y1 = m (x – x1)

Where;
(x1, y1) are the line coordinate
points, m is the slope of the line.
To learn more, try the following
problem:
1.Write an equation for
the line tangent to g
at x=5, where g’(5) =2
and g(5)= -3.
Using the point-slope form;
𝜸 − 𝜸𝟎 = 𝓶 𝔁 − 𝔁𝟎
γ − −3 = 2 𝓍 − 5
γ+3=2 𝓍−5
Turn it to slope-intercept form, we will now have the
final answer as;
γ = 2x − 3

Thus the equation for the line

tangent to g at x=5, where
g’(5) =2 and g(5)= -3 is y=2x-3
2. Use this function; y=f(x)=𝑥 3 − 𝑥 + 5

A). Find the equation to the line

tangent to the curve at the
point (1,5).
B). Find the equation of the lien
normal(perpendicular) to the
curve at the point (1,5).
A). Find the equation to the line tangent to the curve at the
point (1,5).
= First compute slope m(slope is equal to the derivative at that
point).

Thus, f(x)= 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 + 5
f’(x)= 3𝑥 2 − 1 SLOPE
(f’(1)=2)

f’(1)= 3(1)-1= 2
=Then, write the equation of the tangent line, using
the point-slope form:
Thus, the equation is:
𝜸 − 𝜸𝟎 = 𝓶 𝔁 − 𝔁𝟎
γ − 5 = 2(x − 2) Y=2x+3
B). Find the equation of the line normal(perpendicular)
to the curve at the point (1,5).
= Recall that line 2 is normal(perpendicular) to line 1 if their slopes
are negative reciprocals: 𝑚 =−
1
2
𝑚1

= use the equation, 𝜸 − 𝜸𝟎 = 𝒎(𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒍) 𝔁 − 𝔁𝟎

1
y-5=- (𝑥 − 1)
2
= put the equation into slope-intercept form.
y-5=- (𝑥 − 1) Thus the equation of the line
1
2 normal(perpendicular) to the curve at
1 1
Y =- 𝑥 + +5 the point (1,5) is
2 2
𝟏 𝟏𝟏
Y
𝟏
=- 𝒙 +
𝟏𝟏 Y =- 𝒙 +
𝟐 𝟐
𝟐 𝟐
3. A line normal(perpendicular) to the curve y=2𝑥 2 at a point in the
3
first quadrant also passes through the points (0, ). Find an equation
4
for this line.
= The slope of a line that is normal(perpendicular) to this curve at
1
the point is given by; 𝓂 𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 ,𝑎𝑡 𝑥=𝑥1 = −
𝑓′(𝑥1 )
Since f(X) =2𝑥 2 , we have f’(X)= 4X
= we can now write the slope of the normal line as,
1
𝓂 𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 ,𝑎𝑡 𝑥=𝑥1 =- < (1)
4𝑥1
3
= we know that the line contains the points (0, ) and (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ).
4
Hence we can write its slope as
3
𝑦1 −
4
𝓂 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 , =𝑥 −0<(2)
1
• The line must 𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 ,𝑎𝑡 𝑥=𝑥1 = 𝓂(𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒)
3
1 𝑦1 −
4
Thus, - =
4𝑥1 𝑥1
1 3
− = 𝑦1 −
4 4
3 1
- 𝑦1 =− +
4 4
1
we now have the y-value, 𝑦1 =
2
Then determine 𝑥1 , where we know that the point
2 1
(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) lies on the curve y=2𝑥 and since 𝑦1 = 2 we must
have; The problem specifies “At a point in the
1
first Quadrant” so choose the positive
=2𝑥 2 1
solution: x= , since 𝓂 𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 ,𝑎𝑡 𝑥=𝑥1 =-
2 2
1 1
2 = have 𝓂
, we𝑥must 1 =-
1
𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 ,𝑎𝑡 𝑥=2 1
4𝑥1 4(2)
4 1
=-
1 2
x= ±
4
Now use the slope- intercept form to
1
=± calculate the final answer to the problem;
2 Y=𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑥 + 𝑏
𝟏 𝟑
Y= - x +
𝟐 𝟒
EQUIVALENT
DEFINITION
OF
DERIVATIVES
The derivative is the instantaneous rate of
change of a function with respect to one of its
variables. This is equivalent to finding the slope
of the tangent line to the function at a point.
Example 1.
Using the limit definition find the
derivative of the function; f 𝑥 = 3x + 2.
Solution.
′
∆𝑦
𝑓 𝑥 = lim = lim 3 = 3
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥→0
Example 2.
Using the definition, find the derivative of
2
the simplest quadratic function y=𝑥
Solutions;
∆𝑦 (2𝑥+∆𝑥)∆𝑥
y’(x)= lim = lim = lim (2𝑥 +
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥→0
∆𝑥)=2x
Example 3.
Using the definition of the derivative, find the
1
derivative of the function y=
2
Solution;
y’(x)=
1 1 𝑥−(𝑥+∆𝑥)
𝑦 𝑥+∆𝑥 −𝑦(𝑥) − 𝑥+∆𝑥 𝑥
𝑥+∆𝑥 𝑥
lim = lim = lim =
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆
1 1
- lim =− 2
∆𝑥→0 𝑥+∆𝑥 3 𝑥
Basic Rules
• We’ve learned that to find the rule for the
derivative f ′of a function f, we first find the
difference quotient
f ( x + h) − f ( x)
lim
h→0 h

• But this method is tedious and time consuming,

even for relatively simple functions.
• This chapter we will develop rules that will
simplify the process of finding the derivative of
a function.
Rule 1: Derivative of a Constant
• We will use the notation d  f ( x )
dx
• To mean “the derivative of f with respect to x at x.”

d
(c) = 0
dx

• The derivative of a constant function is equal to zero.

Rule 1: Derivative of a Constant
• We can see geometrically why the derivative of a
constant must be zero.
• The graph of a constant function is a straight line
parallel to the x axis.
• Such a line has a slope that is constant with a value of
zero.
• Thus, the derivative of a constant must be zero as
well. y

f(x) = c

x
Rule 1: Derivative of a Constant
• We can use the definition of the
derivative to demonstrate this:
f ( x + h) − f ( x)
f ( x ) = lim
h→0 h
c−c
= lim
h→0 h

= lim 0
h→0
=0
Rule 2: The Power Rule

Rule 2: The Power Rule

• If n is any real number, then
d n
dx
( x ) = nx n −1
Rule 2: The Power Rule
• Lets verify this rule for the special case of n = 2.
• If f(x) = x2, then
f ( x + h) − f ( x)
f ( x ) =
d 2
dx
( x ) = lim
h→0 h

( x + h)2 − x 2 x 2 + 2 xh + h 2 − x 2
= lim = lim
h→0 h h→0 h
2 xh + h 2 h (2 x + h )
= lim = lim
h →0 h h →0 h

= lim(2 x + h ) = 2 x
h →0
Rule 2: The Power Rule
Practice Examples:
• If f(x) = x, then d
f ( x ) = ( x ) = 1  x1−1 = x 0 = 1
dx

f ( x ) = ( x ) = 8  x 8−1 = 8 x 7
d 8
• If f(x) = x8, then dx

• If f(x) = x5/2, then f ( x ) = ( x ) =  x

d 5/2 5 5/2−1 5 3/2
= x
dx 2 2
Rule 2: The Power Rule
Practice Examples:
• Find the derivative of f ( x) = x

f ( x ) =
d
dx
( )
x = (x )
d 1/2
dx

1 1/2−1 1
= x = x −1/2
2 2
1
=
2 x
Rule 2: The Power Rule
1
Practice Examples: f ( x) = 3
x
• Find the derivative of
d  1  d −1/3
f ( x ) =   = (x )
dx  x  dx
3

1
= − x −1/3−1
3

1 −4 / 3 1
=− x = − 4/3
3 3x
Rule 3: Derivative of a Constant
Multiple Function
Rule 3: Derivative of a Constant Multiple
Function
• If c is any constant real number, then
d d
 cf ( x ) = c  f ( x )
dx dx
Rule 3: Derivative of a Constant
Multiple Function
Practice Examples: f ( x ) = 5x 3
• Find the derivative of
f ( x ) =
d
dx
( 5x 3 )

= 5 ( x3 )
d
dx

= 5 ( 3x 2 )

= 15 x 2
Rule 3: Derivative of a Constant
Multiple Function
3
Practice Examples: f ( x) =
x
• Find the derivative of
f ( x) = ( 3 x −1/ 2 )
d
dx

 1 −3 / 2 
= 3 − x 
 2 

3
=−
2 x3 / 2
Rule 4: The Sum Rule

Rule 4: The Sum Rule

d d d
 f ( x )  g ( x ) =  f ( x )   g ( x )
dx dx dx
Rule 4: The Sum Rule
Practice Examples: f ( x ) = 4 x 5 + 3x 4 − 8 x 2 + x + 3
• Find the derivative of
f ( x ) =
d
dx
( 4 x 5 + 3 x 4 − 8 x 2 + x + 3)

= 4 ( x 5 ) + 3 ( x 4 ) − 8 ( x 2 ) + ( x ) + ( 3)
d d d d d
dx dx dx dx dx
= 4 (5x 4 ) + 3 ( 4 x 3 ) − 8 ( 2 x ) + 1 + 0

= 20 x 4 + 12 x 3 − 16 x + 1
Rule 4: The Sum Rule
t2 5
Practice Examples: g (t ) = + 3
5 t
• Find the derivative of
d  t2 5  d  1 2 
g (t ) =  + 3  =  t + 5t −3 
dt  5 t  dt  5 

=  (t ) + 5 (t )
1 d 2 d −3
5 dt dt

= ( 2t ) + 5 ( −3t −4 )
1
5
2t 15 2t 5 − 75
= − 4 =
5 t 5t 4
The Product and Quotient Rules

d
 f ( x ) g ( x ) = f ( x ) g ( x ) + g ( x ) f ( x )
dx
d  f ( x )  g ( x ) f ( x ) − f ( x ) g ( x )
  =
dx  g ( x )   g ( x )2
Rule 5: The Product Rule

• The derivative of the product of two

differentiable functions is given by
d
 f ( x ) g ( x ) = f ( x ) g ( x ) + g ( x ) f ( x )
dx
Rule 5: The Product Rule
Practice Examples: f ( x ) = ( 2 x 2 − 1)( x 3 + 3)

• Find the derivative of

f ( x ) = ( 2 x − 1) ( x + 3) + ( x + 3) ( 2 x 2 − 1)
2 d 3 3 d
dx dx

= ( 2 x 2 − 1)( 3x 2 ) + ( x 3 + 3) ( 4 x )

= 6 x 4 − 3x 2 + 4 x 4 + 12 x
= x (10 x 3 − 3x + 12 )
Rule 5: The Product Rule
Practice Examples: f ( x ) = x 3 ( )
x +1

• Find the derivative of

f ( x ) = x
3

dx
(
d 1/2
x + 1) + ( x + 1) x
1/2 d 3
dx
 1 −1/2 
= x  x  + ( x1/2 + 1) 3x 2
3

2 

1 5/2
= x + 3x 5/2 + 3x 2
2
7 5/2
= x + 3x 2
2
Rule 6: The Quotient Rule

• The derivative of the quotient of two

differentiable functions is given by
d  f ( x)  g ( x) f ( x) − f ( x) g ( x)
  = ( g ( x )  0)
 g ( x)
2
dx  g ( x) 
Rule 6: The Quotient Rule
x
Practice Examples: f ( x) =
2x − 4
• Find the derivative of
d d
( 2 x − 4) ( x) − x ( 2 x − 4)
f ( x ) = dx dx
( − )
2
2 x 4

=
( 2 x − 4 )(1) − x ( 2 )
( 2 x − 4)
2

2x − 4 − 2x 4
= =−
( 2 x − 4) (2 x − 4)
2 2
Rule 6: The Quotient Rule
x2 + 1
Practice Examples: f ( x) = 2
x −1
• Find the derivative of
( x 2 − 1) d 2
( x + 1) − ( x 2
+ 1) d 2
( x − 1)
f ( x ) = dx dx
( x − 1)
2 2

=
( ) ( ) ( + 1) ( 2 x )
x 2
− 1 2 x − x 2

(x − 1)
2 2

2 x3 − 2 x − 2 x3 − 2 x 4x
= =−
(x − 1) (x − 1)
2 2 2 2
Rule 6: The Quotient Rule
x2 + 1
Practice Examples: f ( x) = 2
x −1
• Find the derivative of
( x − 1) dx ( x + 1) − ( x + 1) dx ( x − 1)
2 d 2 2 d 2
f ( x ) =
( x − 1)
2 2

=
( x 2
− 1) ( 2 x ) − ( x 2 + 1) ( 2 x )
(x − 1)
2 2

2 x3 − 2 x − 2 x3 − 2 x 4x
= =−
(x − 1) (x − 1)
2 2 2 2
The Chain Rule for Power Functions
• Many composite functions have the special form
h(x) = g[f(x)]
where g is defined by the rule
g(x) = xn (n, a real number)
so that
h(x) = [f(x)]n
• In other words, the function h is given by the
power of a function f.
• Examples:
h( x ) = ( x + x + 1)
100 1
2
H ( x) = G( x) = 2 x 2 + 3
(5 − x )
3 3
The Power Rule

• If the function f is differentiable and

h(x) = [f(x)]n (n, a real number),
then
d
h( x ) =  f ( x ) = n  f ( x ) f ( x )
n n −1

dx
The Power Rule
Practice Examples: G ( x ) = x 2 + 1
• Find the derivative of
Solution
• Rewrite as a power function: G ( x ) = ( x + 1)
2 1/2

• Apply the general power rule:

G( x ) = ( x + 1) ( + 1)
1 2 −1/2 d 2
x
2 dx
= ( x + 1) ( 2 x )
1 2 −1/2

2
x
=
x2 + 1
The General Power Rule
Practice Examples: f ( x ) = x 2 ( 2 x + 3)5
• Find the derivative of
Solution
• Apply the product rule and the general power
rule: 2 d 5 d
f ( x ) = x ( 2 x + 3) + ( 2 x + 3)
5 2
x
dx dx
= x ( 5)( 2 x + 3) ( 2 ) + ( 2 x + 3) ( 2 ) x
2 4 5

= 10 x ( 2 x + 3) + 2 x ( 2 x + 3)
2 4 5

= 2 x ( 2 x + 3) ( 5 x + 2 x + 3)
4

= 2 x ( 2 x + 3) ( 7 x + 3)
4
The General Power Rule
1
f ( x) =
Practice Examples: (4x 2
− 7)
2

• Find the derivative of

Solution
• Rewrite as a power function: f ( x) = ( 4 x − 7 )
2 −2

• Apply the general power rule:

f ( x ) = −2 ( 4 x − 7 )
−3
2
(8 x )
16 x
=−
(4x − 7)
2 3
The Power Rule
 2x + 1 
3

Practice Examples: f ( x) =  
 3x + 2 
• Find the derivative of
Solution
• Apply the general power rule and the quotient
rule:  2x + 1  d  2x + 1 
2

f ( x ) = 3    
 3x + 2  dx  3x + 2 

 2 x + 1   ( 3x + 2 )( 2 ) − ( 2 x + 1)( 3) 
2

= 3   
 +   ( 3x + 2 )
2
3 x 2 

  ( + )
2
 2x + 1  6x + 4 − 6x − 3
2
3 2 x 1
= 3    =
 3x + 2   ( 3x + 2 )  ( + )
2 4
3 x 2
Higher Order Derivatives

2 4 8 −7/3 8
f ( x ) = −  −  x −7/3 = x =
9 3 27 27 x 2 3 x

dv d  ds  d 2 s d
a= =   = 2 = (8t ) = 8
dt dt  dt  dt dt
Higher-Order Derivatives
• The derivative f ′ of a function f is also a function.
• As such, f ′ may also be differentiated.
• Thus, the function f ′ has a derivative f ″ at a point
x in the domain of f if the limit of the quotient
exists as h approaches
f ( x + hzero.
) − f ( x )
h

• The function f ″ obtained in this manner is called

the second derivative of the function f, just as the
derivative f ′ of f is often called the first derivative
of f.
• By the same token, you may consider the third,
fourth, fifth, etc. derivatives of a function f.
Higher-Order Derivatives
Practice Examples:
• Find the second derivative of the function f(x) = (2x2
+3)3/2
Solution d
( + 3) + ( 2 x + 3) 
1/2 d
(6 x )
1/2
f ( x ) = 6 x 
2 2
2x
dx dx
1
= 6 x    ( 2 x + 3) ( 4 x ) + ( 2 x + 3)  6
2 −1/2 2 1/2

2

• Using the product rule we get the second derivative:

= 12 x ( 2 x + 3) + 6 ( 2 x + 3)
2 2 −1/2 2 1/2

= 6 ( 2 x + 3)  2 x 2 + ( 2 x 2 + 3) 
2 −1/2

 
6 ( 4 x 2 + 3)
=
2 x2 + 3
Steps for Differentiating

To find dy/dx by implicit differentiation:

1. Differentiate both sides of the equation
with respect to x.
(Make sure that the derivative of any term
involving y includes the factor dy/dx)
2. Solve the resulting equation for dy/dx in
terms of x and y.
Differentiating
Examples y 3 − y + 2 x 3 − x = 8
• Find dy/dx for the equation
Solution
• Differentiating both sides and solving for dy/dx
we get
dx
d
(y 3 d
− y + 2 x3 − x ) =
dx
( 8)
d 3
dx
( y ) − ( y ) + ( 2 x 3 ) − ( x ) = ( 8)
d
dx
d
dx
d
dx
d
dx
dy dy
3y2 − + 6x2 − 1 = 0
dx dx

dy
dx
( 3 y 2 − 1) = 1 − 6 x 2

dy 1 − 6 x 2
=
dx 3 y 2 − 1
Differentiating
Examples x 2 y 3 + 6 x 2 = y + 12
• Find dy/dx for the equation
• Then, find the value of dy/dx when y = 2 and x =
1.
Solution d
dx
( x y )+
d
dx
(2
6x ) =
3 d
dx
d
( y ) + (12 )
dx
2

x2 
d
dx
( y3 ) + y3 
d
dx
( x 2 ) + 12 x =
dy
dx

dy dy
3x 2 y 2 + 2 xy 3 + 12 x =
dx dx

( 3x 2
y 2 − 1)
dy
dx
= −2 xy 3 − 12 x

dy 2 xy 3 + 12 x
=
dx 1 − 3x 2 y 2
Differentiating
Examples x 2 y 3 + 6 x 2 = y + 12
• Find dy/dx for the equation
• Then, find the value of dy/dx when y = 2 and x = 1.
Solution
• Substituting y = 2 and x = 1 we find:
dy 2 xy 3 + 12 x
=
dx 1 − 3x 2 y 2
2(1)(2)3 + 12(1)
=
1 − 3(1) 2 (2) 2
16 + 12
=
1 − 12
28
=−
11
Differentiating
Examples x + y − x = 5
2 2 2

• Find dy/dx for the equation

Solution d
( x + y ) −2d
( ) ( 5)
x =
d 2 1/2 2

dx dx dx
2 −1/2  dy 
2
(
1 2
x + y ) 

2 x + 2 y  − 2x = 0
dx 
 dy 
( x2 + y2 )
−1/2
 2 x + 2 y  = 4x
 dx 

= 2x ( x2 + y2 )
dy 1/2
x+ y
dx

= 2x ( x2 + y2 ) − x
dy 1/2
y
dx

dy 2x ( x + y )
2 1/2
2
−x
=
dx y
Derivatives of
Trigonometric Functions
*before we actually get into the derivatives of
the trig functions we need to give a couple of
limits that will show up in the derivation of two
of the derivatives.
Derivative of trigonometric
functions
*Using the quotient
rule ;
Derivatives of Exponential
Function

*Use the
product rule on
the second
term.